Post elections: VP Jallow urges people to embrace unity

Several clashes have occurred among supporters of the United Democratic Party and Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction in Tallinding on election night.

Gambia’s vice president Fatoumatta Jallow Tambajang

The vice president Fatoumatta Jallow Tambajang has urged calm among political supporters following the conduct of the country’s last polls on the electoral calendar.

Gambia is not new to minor incidences of attacks among political supporters during elections.

Several clashes have occurred among supporters of the United Democratic Party and Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction in Tallinding on election night.

“The political parties have a responsibility to make sure that their supporters keep peace… Elections are just elections. It is an engagement of one’s civic rights to vote and to vote to anyone… After all, it is the community that is going to stay as cousins and brothers,” Jallow said at a press conference at her office on Wednesday.

“We want to reiterate our call for everyone to come together… Those who were successful in the elections must now embrace those who have lost by bringing them on board… After all, we are one nation, one people. We can have political differences but at the end of the day, we are one family. And this social cohesion is something wants to protect.”

Use of state resources

Gambia has just emerged from dictatorship during which there was reportedly widespread use of state resources during political campaign.

However, Adama Barrow who promised an end to that trend has also attended two events considered political rallies by opponents during both the country’s national assembly and local government elections.

But the vice president said Barrow has attended reconciliation meetings which were not meant for canvassing of votes.

“The President’s intention wasn’t partisan… He is a coalition candidate and he is aware of that,” Jallow said.

The vice president also promised her government will give consent to proposal by the electoral authorities to introduce paper ballots instead of marbles in the country’s coming elections.